His choice, perfectly legitimate, made a lot of talk in the world of rugby.
Timoci Nagusa, 34, Fijian winger from Grenoble, chose to leave his club 28 days to taste the paternity leave that the law now allows him.
A rare decision in the world of sport which has earned him some criticism, such as those of former opener Jonathan Wisniewski, judging that he should not "enjoy the same privileges as those who earn less their living", or the ex-French coach Philippe Saint-André, accusing him of putting “his team in difficulty”.
“I took this opportunity to help my wife and take care of the baby,” explains the player, who has just welcomed his second child, in an interview with France Info.
It is my duty.
Everyone does what he wants.
The law offers paternity leave of 28 days, but everyone is free to take it or not.
For me, family is more important than anything in life.
My wife is very important.
When I go on the road with the team, when I am in training, she will stay with my children.
Making this decision is also a way to protect it.
"
Absent at the start of the season because of a concussion protocol, Nagusa will therefore further delay his return to the lawns.
But denies any impact of his “paternal” judgment on his physical condition.
Let's Go @FCGrugby #Dadlife pic.twitter.com/T3939y4jVQ
- Jim Nagusa (@ NagusaJim14) October 15, 2021
“I had resumed training with the team two weeks before taking my leave.
At the moment, I take advantage of the fact that my children sleep a lot to carry out my physical training.
I do an hour of strength training every day, at 1 or 2 in the morning because my gym is open 24 hours a day. I also run.
In fact, I continue to keep physically fit.
When my leave is over, I can replay directly if the team needs me.
I understand that they think that if I don't train I will take time to come back, to be ready (…) People think what they want, me, I know what I do to stay in shape despite my stop.
I have been a professional rugby player for fifteen years.
"
By putting his role of man and father before his job as an athlete, the Fijian international is placed well above the fray ... "You can not imagine all the work that mothers do, he slips. .
I realize very well now that I do this job every day.
It's much harder to be a mother than a rugby player, because they work all day, without sleeping… ”
